Wrexham Writings - 16-07-25

Wrexham Writings

The Eleventh Race of the 2025 season for the Wrexham Federation saw the birds released at 12:15pm on Saturday 28^th June from Hullavington in a South West wind.

48 members sent 887 birds.

1^st G&G. Williams & Son, Llay 1561, GM Connah & Maidment, Horse & Jockey 1561, 3^rd S& B. Cooke, Llay 1555, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th P. Bates & Son, Bagillt 1554 (4), 8^th and 9^th P. Bellis, Llay 1554 and 1553, 10^th S. Jones, Brymbo 1551.

5 mins 8 seconds covered the first 40 birds in the fed. 18 of the top 40 were yearlings this week.

Well done to G&G. Williams & Son of Llay on topping the fed this week.  Gary (our Fed Chairman), Gaz and Rhys.  I can’t forget Kath as well our hard-working Race Secretary who gets the results our so promptly.

Llay HS saw G&G. Williams & Son winning with a 3-year-old roundabout hen.  She is a Herman Ceusters.  Last year in the fed she won 32^nd (1380 birds), 13^th (1286 birds) and 5^th (1008 birds).  On top of this also previously won 6^th Fed.  This year she has taken 32^nd (1334 birds).  Second club is Shaun and Barry Cooke timing a two-year-old Lambrecht Hen.  She was 3rd Club Monmouth taking 23^rd (1583 birds) in the fed.  Third and fourth club is Phil Bellis timing yearling nestmates.  Gaby Vandenabeele whose parents were gifted to Phil by the late Tommy Hodgson before he sadly passed away.

Gareth of the G & G.Willians & Son Partnership of Llay . Winner 1st Fed Hullavington 887 Birds

Horse And Jockey saw GM Connah & Maidment take the top two positions. Graham and Barry timed a 3-year-old Blue Cock which had a great season last year scoring the following in the fed, 28^th (1380 birds), 6^th (1212 birds), 9^th (1008 birds), 8^th (859 birds) and 12^th (833 birds). This is a Van Den Bulck x Hermans Ceusters. The sire was a gift from J, I and C Millward. This year he has taken following fed positions 5^th (1334 birds), 28^th (1583 birds), 17^th (1495 birds), 16^th (1456 birds), 22^nd (851 birds) and 4^th (971 birds). Was also 3^rd in North Wales Championship club. This season in the club he has won 3x1st and 1x2nd.  I have included a photo of this great bird.  There second bird is a 2-year-old blue cock which is a de Kruif x van den Bulck, dam a gift from J, I and C Millward.  Third club is Mr & Mrs BW Jones & Son timing a yearling Roundabout hen. Janssen x Gevaert.  Fourth club T. Elson and Daughter timing a 3-year-old Dark Cock, last year in fed this scored 39^th (1089 birds).

GM Connah & Maidment , 14 Fed Positions in 3 Seasons

Bagillt HS saw Chip Shop Boys Phil and Neil Bates taking the first 4. The winner is a yearling Blue Cock, the ’27’ cock that was 1^st Fed (1334 birds) at the opening race and this year 20^th Fed (1583 bird), 5^th (1456 birds),10^th (971 birds) and 9^th (917 birds), and last year in fed was 2^nd (882 birds) and 22^nd (874 birds).  His brother topped the fed from Wincanton (1).  Second club is a yearling blue Hen who took 4^th Club Weymouth 17^th (917 birds).  Third club is a 2-year-old Blue White Flight Hen that last year scored 31^st (1089 birds) in the fed, this year 3rd club Hullavington 7^th (769 birds) in fed.  Fourth club is a yearling blue hen, last year in the fed she took 1^st (882 birds) and 2^nd (1096 birds).  This year in the fed 6^th (971 birds).

Brymbo HS saw Steve Jones taking the top 4 positions. First in the clock is a yearling cheq hen. In the fed last year, she scored 26^th (882 birds). She was 3^rd in the Breeder Buyer winning £600 and scored 7^th in the open race both from Brighton.  This year she has 4th Hullavington 32^nd (769 birds). In second club is a 3-year-old blue cock. He is a Leo Hermans x Van Den Bulck. Last year in the fed this cock scored 37^th (1380 birds), 7^th (1212 birds), 6^th (1089 birds), 13^th (1008 birds), 17^th (859 birds) and 5^th (833 birds). Also won the Championship club. This year in the fed he has scored 6^th (851 birds), 31^st (769 birds) and 35^th (917 birds).  In third club a 4-year-old Mealy Lambrecht cock, last year this bird took 21^st (1089 birds) and 5^th (659 birds) in the fed. This year he won the opening race and the first Wincanton also scoring 12^th (1334 birds), 9^th (1456 birds) and 22^nd (971 birds) in the Fed.  Fourth club is a two-year-old who last year in the fed scored 15^th (1212 birds), 8^th (318 birds) and 9^th (282 birds).  This year in the fed taken 10^th (1583 birds) and 39^th (851 birds).

Wrexham and District HS saw Steve Burgess take 1^st and 4^th.  The winner is a 4-year-old Widowhood Cock.  Bred by Sam Whitworth, Oldham.  This bird has won 5x1st (including this season’s opener) and 6x2nd.  Last year this bird took following fed positions 37^th (1286 birds) and 10^th (360 birds). This season taken 34^th (1334 birds).  Second in the clock is a 2-year-old.  Second and third club is H.V. Bateman & Son, Clive’s first bird is a yearling Mealy Widowhood cock bred from stock birds from Steve Jones, Brymbo. Last year in the fed this scored 38^th (1233 birds) and 21^st (882 birds).  Third club is a 2-year-old widowhood cock. A winner of 3x1st. Sire from Ronnie Clare, Wirral, and Dam Staf Van Reet. Last year in the fed this one won 16^th (201 birds), 25^th (318 birds) and 13^th (659 birds). Also taken 7^th fed in the past.  This won from Brighton the week before also taking 22^nd (416 birds) in the fed.

Ellesmere HS saw Andrew Lawley taking the top 4 positions. The winner is a 3-year-old blue hen, she is of Gaby bloodline. She scored 3^rd club last year and was 3^rd club Hullavington this year.  Second club is a 3-year-old cheq cock 75% Gaby of Shadow bloodlines and 25% Galaxy Van Loon.  He was 2^nd club Hullavington taking 39^th (971 birds) in fed.  Third club a yearling blue hen. Both parents bred by Owen and Joesbury. The sire David Peeters x Hurricane Blood x Thys Blood and Dam Victor De Belser. This won 1^st Hullavington and 3^rd Wincanton and has taken 22^nd (1456 birds) in fed.  Fourth is a Yearling Blue hen. Both parents are from Owen and Joesbury, the Dam is a full sister the fantastic bird Hurricane. Last year this hen took 2^nd and 4^th in our club 2 Bird.  She was 2^nd club 18^th (416 birds) fed last week.

This week was also our clubs Fourth club 2 bird, and we were flying for £150 for 4 prizes due in main to kind sponsorship from Andrew and Alan. Andrew took the win and 3rd, winning a total of £97.50, 2^nd Wayne Jones winning £37.50, 4^th Roy Dovaston winning £15.

Cefn Mawr HS saw Mark Jones winning with a 2-year-old Black Hen, last year in the fed she scored 33^rd (1583 birds) and 31^st (1495 birds).  The next 3 positions went to Hale, Langa & Roberts timing 3 yearling blue cocks.  If anyone in Cefn would like to send some info it would be great.

Leeswood saw C & G Roberts take 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th.  The winner is a White Yearling Hen from Lotty Bros; she has won this year already.  Second in the clock a 4-year-old red hen off late the Tec Woodward. Won and prized this year plus many other prizes, was 3^rd club last week.  Third in the clock 5-year-old blue cock from John the Farm Roberts.  Won many prizes before. Second club R, T & K. Hughes, Ray and Tim timed a 2-year-old cheq Hen, Sire Alan & Martin Crawley & Jack x John & Adam Cocroft stock.  Dam out of Barney Busschaert family.  Has prized before. 

Rhyl saw M & L. Bowen taking the first 3 positions.  Paul Dalton takes 4th position.

Well done to all the prize winners and thank you all for the information, please keep it coming.

The North Wales Championship Club

They held their final old bird race from Brighton. Well done to T. Elson and Daughter on winning and taking £87, 2^nd Derrick Jones winning £57, 3^rd GM Connah & Maidment winning £40, 4^th M.A. Beck winning £23 and 5^th P & T Reece (Secretary of this great duplication club) winning £6.  Next race is Wincanton YB on 30^th August.

National Racing

My passion used to be channel racing, especially 500 miles (not that I was too successful) but time and circumstances means I don’t race these races anymore.  But I followed the NFC Sigogne race unfold online, I enjoyed seeing so many great names and local fanciers and friends appear on the result.  Maybe one day I will try again.

Seeing a great local fancier Keith Rhodes of Telford appear in 2^nd Open 491 miles was a joy to see, though another near miss for Keith.  Recording 1260 ypm (only 2 mins 20 seconds off the win), Keith is assisted by his son Keith Jnr and I’m grateful for the info Keith sent me.  I have also included a photo and must say it is a stunner (I always have soft spot for a Pencil).

Keith Rhodes, Provisional 1st Section J and 2nd Open

This 2-year-old pencil widowhood cock.  The sire is pure Jim Gibbon in his own last race he finished 27th open NFC Sigogne the Dam is off a Crammond and Langstaff cock when paired to a Cosmin Talas hen bought off him in 2020, he is a half-brother to the cock which was 2nd ace pigeon 1st northern region NFC over 2 years recently

He has won 6x1st flying in Dawley HS plus been 2nd fed twice.

This year in his 6 prep races he has won 1^st, 2nd (beaten by loft mate), 4^th and 6^th.  It’s his first year flying the channel he was 4th pigeon NFC Fougeres but came after clock was taken to clock station, at NFC Nort sur Erdre he was 1st pigeon finishing 17th sect J 173rd open.

He was the fancied pigeon out of Sigogne.  They had 3 out of 5 on the night and another first thing next morning.  Great flying in a tough race.

Watching the NFC result online a huge smile came across my face when I saw my great friend George Bowyer of Congleton pop up.  He remained top of Section L, provisionally taking 11^th Open, 520 miles at 1209 ypm.  Pictured the Provisional 1^st Section and George holding him.

George Bowyer, Congleton

George is a previous 4 times winner in section L since 1998, scoring wins at 693 miles, 424 miles (Twice), 368 miles plus lots of other top section positions.  If you time ahead of George, you will be high of result.

I got to pop in to see George and his lovely wife Jane for a brew and catch up and of course handle his Section Winner.  I will write more on George in the future if I get the time.

George timed a stunning 2-year-old Blue Pied Cock who was raced lightly as a YB and as yearling went as far as Weymouth.  This year he has raced all NFC races scoring 90^th Section 336 miles (4^th of 5 entries) and 57^th Section 396 miles (4^th of 6 entries).

Provisonal 1st Section L, Sigogne, 520 Miles

The Sire is from George’s tried and tested Busschaert family coming down from his ‘Northern Hen’ when crossed with Heribert Stoffel, Dorsten pigeons that George bought in.  What a racing machine this cock was, just some of his results as follows: 2^nd Section 368 miles, 6^th Section 252 miles, 7^th Section, 117^th open 520 miles, 14^th Section 424 miles, 26^th Section, 116^th Open 260 miles and 27^th Section, 111^th open 402 miles plus many more times in the clock (13 times on NFC result in 5 years). The Dam is a bred from a combination of Colin Brough blood (I will tell a story again on this one) and Heribert Stoffel, Dorsten pigeons.  This hen has flown Tarbes (693 miles) scoring high in Eccles 2 Bird.  She is down from George’s ‘Tarbes’ cock, winner of 1^st Section, 28^th Open 693 miles, 15^th Section, 328^th Open 693 miles, 15^th Section, 384^th Open 517 miles.

George timed another bird on the day from his 6 entries, and this was another 2-year-old blue pied cock.  A full brother to the Section Winner but this was a September 2023 hatch who was only trained a few miles as a young bird.  This year is first time raced on the channel, and this was his second NFC race.

George timed another early next morning which he hopes is high on Eccles 2 bird result. And he had his 4^th bird home on the Monday.

In Provisional 2^nd Section J, 13^th open at 493 miles is another good friend Craig Gough of Shrewsbury.  Craig timed a 2-year-old hen who was raced on roundabout, paired up and on chipping eggs for this race.  She was Craig’s second bird at the first NFC race 308 mile taking 358^th Open.  She is bred from a pair of birds from the Late Brian Heath of Market Drayton.  From Brian’s Bordeaux family which scored so well in MNFC.

It wasn’t just the NFC racing but also the BBC raced from Messac.

Another friend Aurel Voiculescu of Ironbridge topped Section E, provisionally 16^th open at 334 miles.  Aurel had 12 out of 15 entries on the day, superb flying and adding to the many section wins in Classics/Nationals.  Aurel works extremely hard for the Benzing ETS users by running the ‘Live’ clocking races.  I dare say Aurel might include some details on his pigeons himself in BHW, but Aurel if you want me to include, please get in touch.

Aurel Voiculescu - Provisional 1st Sect E, 16th Open BBC Messac

Further afield the Scottish National held their Gold Cup race.  I used to love following the SNFC racing, especially with their yearly video on the winners they produced.  I know what a special race this is.  Facebook includes many pigeon Fanciers, and someone who writes interesting enthusiastic posts is Ruth Cordiner, who races with her Partner Stuart Maskame (a previous SNFC winner I believe) flying as Maskame & Cordiner.  So, on seeing them time not one but two birds from an eye watering 632 miles to take provisional 1^st and 2^nd Section G, 12^th and 18^th open.  Well done both and ‘Ruth’s Reward’, I have included a photo of the first timer.  Look forward to seeing you at Blackpool.

Maskame & Cordiner 'Ruth's Reward' Provisonal 1st Section G, 12th open 632 miles SNFC

In My Own Loft

Though I was a little off pace, I was closer this week and I had 3 in 2 mins from my entry of 6.  All were home too. I have tweaked feeding a little, so thanks to Neil Andrews for his help.  I know I’m playing catch up after a slow start so it’s all about enjoying the racing now.

If anyone else would like a multi performance bird in fed or other racing highlighting, please get in touch.

Any feedback (good or bad appreciated). Please send any info or photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wayne Jones